"Whatever you say... Mistress."
My eyes rolled so hard I saw stars. God, she was unbearable.
I flipped the packet open, pretending to focus — but I could feel her eyes on me. Watching. Waiting. Like she was enjoying every second of this stupid little power play.
Though I knew she was watching me, waiting for a response or reaction I didn't give her one.
Instead, I began to read out the packet's Intro page.
Final Project: "Through the Lens" – A Personal Documentary
Course: Advanced Photography & Visual Storytelling
Instructor: Ms, Anya
Due Date: Students will present on the last day of school.
Group Project —Pairs Only
Objective:
Your task is to co-create a visual documentary that captures the truth of everyday life through photography and video. This project is about perspective how we see ourselves, how we see others, and how those views can shift through a lens.
I could hear Thalia annoyingly growling in the back as I read.
"Sounds like therapy disguised as homework. "
"Well Thalia you need both so this tracks. Now shut up so I can read the packet."
Instructions:
1. Partner Up:
You will work in assigned pairs to document each other's lives.
2. Capture Reality:
Use photos and short video clips (2–5 minutes max each) to illustrate:
   * Daily routines
   * Personal spaces
   * Family/home dynamics
   * Joy, stress, stillness, chaos — real emotion only
3. Themes to Highlight:
   *Identity
   *Contrast
   * Intimacy vs. Distance
   *Perspective (How does your partner see you? How do you see yourself?)
"Intimacy vs. Distance." damn Ms, Anya has weird way of making us flirt."
"You wish."
4. Final Product:
   * A 10–15 minute multimedia presentation combining curated photos and edited footage.
   * Include a short written artist statement (1–2 pages) reflecting on what you learned about your partner — and yourself — through this process.
Grading Criteria:
* Authenticity (20%)
* Creativity & Composition (20%)
* Narrative Cohesion (20%)
* Collaboration & Effort (20%)
* Final Presentation (20%)
Note: You will be documenting each other. That means trust, communication, and yes —vulnerability. Be respectful. Be bold. The lens doesn't lie. Also, remember this overall percent of the project will be worth half your grade, so put in the effort you have the whole school year!
Once I finished reading, I closed the packet. The project was simple enough — it was going to take time, sure, but it was doable. If Thalia focused, we might even get a perfect score.
Big if, though.
I turned around to face the bed, and of course, she was already looking at me. Head tilted. That lazy smile playing on her lips. Like she was studying me, but in that annoyingly smug, unreadable Thalia way that made my stomach twist and my brain short-circuit.
"What's got your gears turning?" she asked, voice low and teasing.
I shook my head, trying to stay in reality — the one where I didn't notice how good she looked when the light caught her eyes like that.
What the actual fuck is wrong me. Stop it.
"If you tried," I said, giving her a look, "we could get a hundred on this. So maybe don't screw it up? Cool?"
She didn't answer. Just stood — slowly — eyes locked on mine, gaze lingering a second too long.
"Get up."
I blinked. "What? Why?"
"Because I said so. Don't make me repeat myself, Valentina."
The way she said my name... it was annoying. But also not. But also very annoying. I rolled my eyes and stayed on the floor a moment longer, because petty was a love language too.
"Only because my foot's asleep," I mumbled as I stood up.
"Mhm. Keep telling yourself that," she said, brushing past me just close enough to make my breath hitch.
"Okay but... where are we going?" I asked, narrowing my eyes. She was already moving toward the door like she hadn't just hijacked my entire day.
Can you blame me for asking? She was acting like we had plans — which we didn't. At least not ones I knew about. For all I knew, she was taking me somewhere remote to leave my body behind.
"You always ask this many questions?" she said over her shoulder. "Just put on your shoes and come on."
Before I could even open my mouth, she disappeared down the hall like this was completely normal.
I grabbed socks and my brown Birkenstocks, threw my bag over my shoulder, and headed downstairs like I had no other choice. Because apparently, when Thalia said "go," my feet just moved.
"Mom! Thalia and I are going out!" I called out as I reached the front door.
"Okay, honey! Be safe! I love you!" she called from the kitchen.
"Love you too!" I said, stepping outside and locking the door behind me.
Thalia was waiting in her car, window rolled down, arm draped casually on the door. Like something out of my nightmares.
She looked at me, expression unreadable, and then flashed a smirk. "Let's go princess, you got legs use them!"
My stomach dropped. Or flipped. I don't know.
What the fuck is going on?
✂︎
CHAPTER TWO
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Thank you so much for reading Chapter TWO of Love's Unexpted Turn! I hope you all enjoyed the chapter and where the 온라인카지노게임 is going so far!🖤
Reminder that all aesthetics for each chapter are in my Pinterest which is linked in my bio!
X O X O - am0iur